Biosecurity is becoming increasingly important in sustainable livestock production. Higher biosecurity results in healthier animals, is key in preventing and reducing the spread of epidemics, and decreases the use of medication such as antimicrobials in livestock production.
A Belgian veterinary epidemiology research group, recognized as the leading centre of expertise on biosecurity practices in livestock production, has developed a scoring system. Through the use of this scoring system the level of farm biosecurity can be determined in a fast, objective and accurate manner. The data entered through the scoring system is stored in a secure central database, which allows for benchmarking with national and world averages. The scoring system is being continuously developed so that the biosecurity of each sector of livestock production can be quantified. Currently, the scoring system has been developed for the following sectors of livestock production:
• Pigs
• Cattle
o Veal calves
o Beef cattle
o Dairy cattle
• Poultry
o Broilers
o Laying hens
They are currently looking for international partners under licence agreements, who are interested in integrating the scoring algorithm in their data collection system.
